Here’s an excerpt from an AP report this morning; no cause of death has yet been cited:
Bass player Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn dies in Tokyo at 70
By Nekesha Mumbi Moody
Associated Press
May 14, 2012NEW YORK (AP) — Donald “Duck” Dunn, the bassist who helped create the gritty Memphis soul sound at Stax Records in the 1960s as part of the legendary group Booker T. and the MGs and contributed to such classics as “In the Midnight Hour,” ”Hold On I’m Coming” and “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay,” died Sunday at 70.
Dunn, whose legacy as one of the most respected session musicians in the business also included work with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd’s Blues Brothers as well as with Levon Helm, Eric Clapton, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, died while on tour in Tokyo.
News of his death was posted on the Facebook site of his friend and fellow musician Steve Cropper, who was on the same tour. Cropper said Dunn died in his sleep.
Read the rest here.
And from American Blues Scene:
Legendary Blues bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn passes away in Tokyo
By Casebeer
American Blues Scene
May 13, 2012Donald “Duck” Dunn, bass player and songwriter and a member of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame band Booker T. and the MGs and the Blues Brothers band, has passed away. Dunn had been in Tokyo performing.
Fellow musician Steve Cropper made the announcement via a post on his Facebook Page. Cropper reported that Dunn had died in his sleep. “Today I lost my best friend, the World has lost the best guy and bass player to ever live. Duck Dunn died in his sleep Sunday morning May 13 in Tokyo Japan after finishing 2 shows at the Blue Note Night Club.”
The last venue that Dunn played in Japan was the Tokyo Blue Note and a spokeswoman, Miho Harasawa confirmed he died alone early Sunday but had no further details. The Blue Note show calendar shows a 3 night run for the STAX Show featuring Steve Cropper and Dunn.
Read the rest here.
A short two-minute video of his career in music.